Singles of the Week

Things are about to warm up in the U.K. (weather wise at least), and we're back with another bucket of red hot tunes. This time around, we're bringing you a real spread. From a large helping of Cardi B to a dollop of James Supercave, the musically varied Panoptic team bring you our singles of the week.

If you’re coming down after the release of MGMT’s fantastic album earlier this year and are looking for something similar to get your left-field pop sensibilities going, look no further than James Supercave. The American four-piece are not just another psych-infused pop outfit, though. They boast many tricks of their own – a sparse, flowing synth setup, minimalistic composition masterful enough to match Radiohead in parts, and a uniquely-voiced frontman whose vocal trills never fail to either mesmerise, or send chills down one’s spine. ‘Something to Lose’ has all the classic James Supercave hallmarks, while adding a ridiculously catchy yet low-key melodic hook onto the chorus that was only seen twice on their debut album. I’ve been psyched for this new release since they first announced it, and since I realised that the average two-year span between albums was nearly up for them. Thankfully, unlike most other bands taking hiatuses these days, the Supercave boys have delivered – and boy, am I thrilled about it

Misch’s new album Geography seems to be all that anyone is talking about, and with good reason. His work is perfectly funky, with some violin thrown in for good measure. As a North Londoner I do feel I’ve betrayed my Kilburn roots by loving a song called ‘South of the River’, however it’s just a damn good jam. It’s the kind of song that makes you believe you’re a better dancer than you are. Definitely listen to the whole album if you have time, but this song is the perfect whistle stop tour of Misch’s new work. 10/10

My current favourite song to cry to has got to be this perfect, unique feeling ballad from Norwegian major newcomer, Sigrid. It’s simple acoustic vibe, in combination with Sigrid’s soaring and achingly beautiful vocals, create what to me, has got to be pop ballad perfection. Not only does she have more control over her voice than I do over my entire life, her accent is also adorable. Definitely gonna be a fave for a while. Check it out friends

Cardi B’s debut studio album Invasion of Privacy, was released a week ago, and it’s already one of the best rap albums of the year. Hotly anticipated after the shock success of ‘Bodak Yellow’, which racked up over half a billion YouTube views, the follow up should have been a disappointment. But it isn’t. The album is catchy, deep, and a full display of Cardi B’s skills as a rapper. The track ‘Be Careful’ is infectious, and I dare you to resist dancing along to the repetitive base line. The backing track feels Drake-esque, but it’s actually Eminem that Cardi B’s style reminds me of. From lyrical skill to an ability to change a flow that feels so carefree, you’re going to be trying it yourself. The song is impressively upbeat considering it is written about her lover cheating, and it’s due to be a summer hit that stays on repeat.

Johnny Marr’s direction has drifted since the decline of The Smiths in 1987. Joining the Pretenders, and Modest Mouse, he was a man for hire for a few decades. He dabbled with a solo career in the early 2010s but put it on hold to return to a variety of projects.

It seems that the taste of a solo career left a sweet aftertaste, as he returns with a studio album this year. The first single from this album is ‘The Tracers’. It an upbeat song with a solid base line and guitar hooks aplenty. What else would you expect from Marr. On first listen, the ‘hoo hoo’ refrain that is chanted throughout would make you consider turning off. The rumbling instrumentals are enough to drive the listener on, and I’m glad that I did stick with it. There is an undeniable accessibility to this tune that bolsters Marr’s reputation as a musical wizard.

The Panoptic is part of the Amazon Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme that provides commissions on products bought through a link on the site. We use this to provide you a link to things we already review – books, films – and we receive a small percentage commission if you decide to buy it. Helping us maintain the site!